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Making Events Accessible

    Creator: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

    Date Updated: August 23, 2023

    Overview

    This resource offers advice and guidance for making events accessible and is designed to be used by event organizers, speakers, and participants. Library staff should use this resource when planning or participating in events.

    The information on this page is summarized from the Making Events Accessible Checklist.

    Making Events Accessible Checklist

    The Making Events Accessible Checklist organizes information into the following areas:

    • Everyone: Understanding the Basics
    • Organizers: Planning the Event
    • Speakers: Planning Your Session
    • Participants and Speakers: During the Meeting or Presentation
    • For More Information

    Checklist Highlights

    • To best meet all accessibility needs, ask participants and speakers about their accessibility requirements in the planning stage of the event (e.g., include a question in the registration form and encourage participants to make specific requests).
    • Inform speakers that their presentations must be accessible to people with disabilities and offer necessary guidance.
    • Ensure both physical and digital spaces are accessible.
    • In addition to the event itself, any event materials, such as handouts and slides, should be available in accessible formats.
    • Make sure all visual information included in a presentation is also described.
    • Limit distractions (e.g., ask participants to turn off cellphone notifications and avoid potential distractions, such as catering set up, occurring while a presentation is underway)
    • Even with a strong focus on accessibility when planning an event, it may be hard to anticipate all accessibility requirements – be open to participants’ needs and be prepared to adapt.

    Visit the Making Events Accessible Checklist to find out more!

    References

    Henry, S. L., (Ed.) (2022, August 31). Checklist for meetings, conferences, training, and presentations that are remote/virtual, in-person, or hybrid. W3C Website Accessibility Initiative. https://www.w3.org/WAI/teach-advocate/accessible-presentations/